Handling explosive headaches
Sep 13, 2005
LAST week, <b>Paul Semugoma</b> explored the implications of a common headache. Today he introduces us to uncommon headaches
LAST week, Paul Semugoma explored the implications of a common headache. Today he introduces us to uncommon headaches.
Uncommon headaches are very painful and not easy to treat. They come with symptoms like fever, loss of sight, vomiting, numbness and a stiff neck. The pain may be overwhelming, sudden and explosive.
Such headaches are symptoms of diseases like malaria, meningitis, very high blood pressure, brain tumours or bleeding into the brain, which are all life-threatening conditions. They need investigation by the doctor.
However, there are exceptions. A headache may be severe, chronic, hard to treat, but not life threatening. These include migraine and cluster headaches.
Migraine
This is the commonest chronic headache. Up to 15% of the population may be affected, most sufferers (75%) being women. The problem runs in families.
The exact cause of this headache is unknown. Sufferers notice that certain things may trigger an attack. These include foods like chocolate, cheese and alcohol, missing a meal, stress, smoking and birth control pills.
It sometimes gives warning, starting with signs the sufferer learns to recognise. The person may sense certain smells; have blindness in one or both eyes, or sounds in an ear. Then comes the headache, which is severe with nausea and vomiting.
The person cannot stand light or noise. They do not want to move the head at all. This lasts between four to 72 hours and then stops, leaving the sufferer feeling drained.
Cluster headaches
These are rare and their pattern is unique. The sufferer experiences daily attacks for weeks or months then they disappear for months before returning.
The attack gives no warning. It starts suddenly, as a sharp stabbing pain in one eye. The pain increases within minutes, is one sided, with one-sided nasal blockage, tearing of the affected eye and the eyelid drops.
The person cannot bear standing still. It lasts minutes to an hour and may recur on the same day or week.
Management
For an acute attack of a migraine, the sufferer needs to rest in a room with little light and noise and should be allowed to sleep. Support the head with pillows and apply a cool damp cloth.
Taking caffeine (coffee) and painkillers will increase comfort.
Cluster headaches are usually brief, but distressing, so management relies on prevention.
Oxygen inhalation stops a cluster headache rapidly.
For both migraines and cluster headaches; drugs like ergotamine, triptans and combinations containing caffeine (coffee may stop the headache.
Drugs used for high blood pressure, epilepsy, allergies and depression have been found to decrease the frequency of attacks. They need to be taken regularly for prevention.
A treatment plan with your doctor is important for both headache types. Though highly inconveniencing, they can be controlled with modern medicines.
The writer is
a medical doctor
Uncommon headaches are very painful and not easy to treat. They come with symptoms like fever, loss of sight, vomiting, numbness and a stiff neck. The pain may be overwhelming, sudden and explosive.
Such headaches are symptoms of diseases like malaria, meningitis, very high blood pressure, brain tumours or bleeding into the brain, which are all life-threatening conditions. They need investigation by the doctor.
However, there are exceptions. A headache may be severe, chronic, hard to treat, but not life threatening. These include migraine and cluster headaches.
Migraine
This is the commonest chronic headache. Up to 15% of the population may be affected, most sufferers (75%) being women. The problem runs in families.
The exact cause of this headache is unknown. Sufferers notice that certain things may trigger an attack. These include foods like chocolate, cheese and alcohol, missing a meal, stress, smoking and birth control pills.
It sometimes gives warning, starting with signs the sufferer learns to recognise. The person may sense certain smells; have blindness in one or both eyes, or sounds in an ear. Then comes the headache, which is severe with nausea and vomiting.
The person cannot stand light or noise. They do not want to move the head at all. This lasts between four to 72 hours and then stops, leaving the sufferer feeling drained.
Cluster headaches
These are rare and their pattern is unique. The sufferer experiences daily attacks for weeks or months then they disappear for months before returning.
The attack gives no warning. It starts suddenly, as a sharp stabbing pain in one eye. The pain increases within minutes, is one sided, with one-sided nasal blockage, tearing of the affected eye and the eyelid drops.
The person cannot bear standing still. It lasts minutes to an hour and may recur on the same day or week.
Management
For an acute attack of a migraine, the sufferer needs to rest in a room with little light and noise and should be allowed to sleep. Support the head with pillows and apply a cool damp cloth.
Taking caffeine (coffee) and painkillers will increase comfort.
Cluster headaches are usually brief, but distressing, so management relies on prevention.
Oxygen inhalation stops a cluster headache rapidly.
For both migraines and cluster headaches; drugs like ergotamine, triptans and combinations containing caffeine (coffee may stop the headache.
Drugs used for high blood pressure, epilepsy, allergies and depression have been found to decrease the frequency of attacks. They need to be taken regularly for prevention.
A treatment plan with your doctor is important for both headache types. Though highly inconveniencing, they can be controlled with modern medicines.
The writer is
a medical doctor